Talkin’ Mellencamp! New Podcast before the 2026 Tour

What are the best tours John Mellencamp and his band ever embarked on? Don and Mike provide their top 10 list, complete with setlist highlights and interesting facts you won't find anywhere else. 

Don and Mike go track-by-track through John's 1982 mega-hit album "American Fool," which went to No. 1, contained three huge hit singles, and was that year's best-selling album. Join us as we present several sound bytes of Mellencamp talking about the songs on this album, go in-depth into the songs that didn't make the final version of "American Fool," present the never-before heard original track list for the album, and offer up a rare acoustic version of the key album track "Thundering Hearts."  

Don and Mike discuss their favorite cover songs by John Mellencamp. From folk songs, hard rock, gospel, soul, R&B, and much more, Mellencamp has covered a wide swath of musical ground in his 50-year career. This episode breaks down Mellencamp's eclectic musical tastes and gives hard-core and casual fans alike some terrific tunes to seek out.

Don and Mike visit with long-time Mellencamp band member Pat Peterson, who contributed her soulful background vocals to John's band for nearly a quarter century (1982-2006). Find out how Pat joined the Mellencamp band, her favorite moments in the studio and on stage with John, which song she inspired John to write, what she is up to today, and much more. 

Don and Mike discuss the recent release of the previously unheard 1977 Mellencamp outtake "I Just Wanna Be Black" and then dive deep into the songs that John co-wrote with his childhood friend George Green, a supremely gifted lyricist.

Don and Mike break down the Mellencamp songs most inspired by John's Midwest roots.

Don and Mike go beyond the hits and select their favorite Mellencamp deep cuts - songs that aren't widely known, but that all Mellencamp fans need to seek out.

Don and Mike create a potential setlist for the 2026 Dancing Words Greatest Hits Tour. What songs will John and the band play? What songs would Don and Mike like to hear?

John Mellencamp fans Don Wilson - lead singer of the Mellencamp tribute band Mellencougar - and Mike Rainey discuss the upcoming Dancing Words Greatest Hits that is set to begin in July 2026. Don and Mike break down what hit songs from Mellencamp's extensive catalog be may played this summer, and which songs they don't think will make the cut.